About West Des Moines Headache and West Des Moines Chiropractic

"I have a headache." It's not always just an excuse to get out of something, but a headache is a red flag telling you that something is wrong. That something likely starts in your neck.

Definition

descriptor of pain in the head, face, and neck

Description

If you suffer from headaches, you are not alone. 45 million people (1 in 6 people) report chronic, recurring headaches in the US. (1)

The headache pain can be throbbing or achy, in one or more areas of the head, neck, or face. It can be bad enough to send you to a dark, quiet room or just the medicine cabinet for a pill. Headaches can involve muscles, discs, nerves and facet joints in the neck as a source of aggravation of headache pain.

There are two types of headaches: primary and secondary.

Primary - due to head and neck pain itself

Secondary - due to some other underlying issue like infection or flu or other organic disease.

Description of Headache due to cervical spine issues

There are three "primary" headache types that account for 90% of headaches:

Stress Headaches- These are the most common. They start around middle age when the stresses and aggravation of our busy lives increase. 90% of headache sufferers get these. (2)The pain usually starts as dull, aching, steady pain felt on both sides of the head. They may develop into throbbing pain. Eye strain, stress, tension, tightness may trigger stress headaches.

Cluster Headaches - These headaches appear in "clusters," like repeatedly over weeks or months. They may recur the same time every year. These headaches are quite painful and usually affect only one side of the head around the eye. Men are affected more than women with this type of headache.

Incidence: less than 1% of headache sufferers. (3)

Migraine Headaches - Reduced blood flow to various areas of the head may be a source of migraines. These headaches generally start with a visual disturbance that goes away in about an hour leaving behind just a good amount of pain. Sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting and intense throbbing on side of the head accompany a migraine. A migraine will last typically 6 to 72 hours.

Incidence: 12% of headache sufferers (4)

Incidence: About 11 million adults in the US get migraines. (5)

Examination

A thorough, clinical examination that may include imaging is important to your headache diagnosis and pain relief treatment plan.

Cervical Spine Exam Description

Treatment

In-office, Executive Chiropractic of Iowa uses chiropractic Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression which is a less invasive means to pain relief as it stretches the neck musculature, reduces disc pressures, and realigns any misaligned spinal segments. Tension headaches that involve tight muscles do well with exercises designed to stretch those muscles.

Graphic Animation of Cox Technic - Cervical Spine

The disc is pressing on the nerve. Note that as the disc herniation reduces, the pinched nerve is relieved.

This is an animation of the goal of Cox Technic
Flexion-Distraction and Decompression: reduced irritation of spinal elements
enough to relieve pain and help you regain your quality of life. The amount of
decrease in size of the herniated disc necessary for pain relief varies from 0%
to 100% for each individual patient.

Cox Technic Protocol I - for severe pain or pain that extends below the elbow

Cox Technic Protocol II - for pain that is in the neck and stays above the elbow

At Home Care

Executive Chiropractic of Iowa recommends some basic at home care tips like sleeping on a supportive pillow and mattress, reduce your exposure to eye straining situations for long periods of time, and exercises among other strategies to deal with your headaches.

"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page."

Call us to set up an appointment: 515-440-3774

About Our West Des Moines chiropractic Practice

Our method at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa centers on chiropractic wellness as well as alleviation of pain, particularly spine pain and its related conditions. We administer in depth care for back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, arm pain, leg pain, and injuries to the body from a car accident, sports injury or other cause. Our chiropractic practice respectfully serves the West Des Moines area. We pride ourselves on being patient-oriented and active to fulfilling your needs be they about insurance filing or appointment making or your health and healing. We provide individualized treatment plans to meet your exact needs. If you're in need of a chiropractor in the West Des Moines area, contact us today!